The term 'meatus' refers to which of the following?

• A. Internal cavity
• B. External opening
• C. External ear canal
• D. Nerve

Answer: (B)

Meatus describes a natural passage or opening, typically one that connects to the outside of the body. In anatomy, many meatuses are external openings or canals, such as the external auditory meatus—the ear canal that carries sound from the outer ear toward the eardrum. So the best fit is an external opening, since the term denotes an opening or passage to the outside rather than an internal cavity or a nerve. The external ear canal is a specific example of a meatus, but the term itself points to the opening or canal rather than to a particular organ or nerve.